So oft it chances in particular men,
That for some vicious mole of nature in them,
As, in their birth – wherein they are not guilty,
Since nature cannot choose his origin-
By the o'ergrowth of some complexion,
Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason,
Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens
The form of plausive manners, that these men,
Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,
Being nature's livery, or fortune's star, -
Their virtues else – be they as pure as grace,
As infinite as man may undergo -
Shall in the general censure take corruption
From that particular fault
~Shakespeare, Hamlet (Act I Scene IV)
Hmm. This isn't good news. Shakespeare is suggesting that no matter how virtuous we are, if there is a single defect in our character it may corrupt the whole.
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